Port Allen: Anger fuels record number of early voters

Political analyst Clay Young says anger is what led to a record turnout in Port Allen for early voting. People are so upset with much of the happenings that they want to make sure their voices are heard.

"People are tired of this and they're ready for Port Allen not to be in the news because of this," said Young.

Now, there are more headlines. This time, a record early voter turnout in Port Allen for the upcoming recall election of Mayor Deedy Slaughter.

Of the 4,055 registered voters in Port Allen, 1,655 have already cast an early ballot. That's nearly 41 percent of all the city's voters.

"East Baton Rouge has had elections where the actual election day turnout has been nowhere near that," said Young.

Young said Saturday will be the most significant election Port Allen has seen in some time because voters want the controversy to end.

"I felt that it was the right thing to do," said early voter Cyrus Carey.

Carey lives west of the train tracks, the side where signs reading "Vote Against Recall" are up in yards.

"I think there needs to be some serious changes going on in the office," Carey added.

"I think it's amazing. I think it's wonderful that the community is turning out and voicing their opinion," said Benjamin Knapp, who also cast a ballot early.

Knapp lives on the other side of the tracks.

"Someone has stepped up to the plate to fix up what was messed up," Knapp added.

Young said the tracks are not the city's only divide.

"The overwhelming support the mayor had when she was elected has eroded some and there are some even in the black community who are questioning whether or not things being done now are in the best interest of the city," said Young.

Of all the people who early voted, 947, or about 57 percent, were white. The numbers show 696, or 42 percent, were black. less than 1 percent were other.

Young said voters in Port Allen are fired up be it for either side. It's what he said already drove a record number of voters to the polls and may do the same Saturday.

"Every vote counts," said Knapp. "I hope that everyone makes the right decision," said Carey.

About 95 mail-in ballots are outstanding. The deadline to request one is Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. The deadline to return the mail-in ballot is Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Voters broke their previous record set during the 2012 presidential election when they had 1,434 early voters.